Round-Up: Open Source Technologies Are Key To The Growth Of Internet Of Things

Today, there are numerous products that allow the exchange of information on the Internet, but there is little real interoperability. Companies that make fact-based device platforms and proprietary applications may be stifling the creation of a complete ecosystem.  The Linux Foundation believes that the objective of a full ecosystem within the Internet of Things can only be achieved by developing an open source framework.

Last December, The Linux Foundation announced the formation of AllSeen Alliance, a consortium created to encourage the adoption of common standards to be used in the development of devices and services for Internet of Things (IoT).  To best forward this mission the AllSeen Alliance includes manufacturers of devices (smartphones, tablets, routers, smart TVs, appliances, set-top boxes, etc.), Service providers, retailers and chipmakers. The main members are Haier, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Qualcomm, Sharp, Silicon Image and TP-LINK. The members are secondary Canary, Cisco, D-Link, doubleTwist, Fon, Harman, HTC, LeTV, LIFX, Lite-on, Moxtreme, Musaic, Sears Brands Management Corporation, Sproutling, The Sprosty Network, Weaved and Wilocity. AT&T Digital Life, Affinegy, Gowex, iControl Networks, Kii, Muzzley, Patavina Technologies, 2lementry, Tuxera and Vestel Group, since then joined the initiative.

The software framework will enable any device to locate other devices, automatically make a connection and start sharing data, regardless of the brand, from the standard of communication and operating system.  In the house of the future, the LG refrigerator will send an SMS to a HTC smartphone, Haier dishwasher can talk with the Sharp TV. The initial release of AllSeen Alliance will be based on the Qualcomm AllJoyn framework that allows devices, services and applications to communicate via a WiFi connection, Ethernet, Powerline or other standards. The framework is compatible with major platforms, including Linux, Windows, OS X, Android and iOS. LG has already announced that support for AllJoyn will be integrated into the smart TV sales in 2014...